and curling my hair in such a way that it cascaded around me in soft waves of splendor. She’d even fixed tiny diamonds in my tresses to add extra flair.
I gasped when I turned and looked at myself in the mirror. I didn’t even recognize who I was. A beautiful, blonde woman stared back at me. Eyes that were an alarming shade of green took in flawless, alabaster skin.
“You are simply breathtaking,” Marisole breathed out, nodding her approval, her assistants agreeing.
There was a knock on my door, and I looked expectantly toward it, wondering who it could be.
“Analia.” My mother swept into the room. The women bowed as she entered. “You are stunning.”
She embraced me quickly before holding me at arm’s length to survey me.
“You look beautiful too,” I said taking her in.
Her hair was swept up on top of her head. A delicate silver crown was nestled in her locks. Her long, sapphire dress flowed around her, hugging her perfect body.
“Thank you, sweetheart. I came to give you something,” she said. She gestured at the door, and two guards entered, each holding a box. “First, you need jewelry.”
She opened the first box and removed an exquisite diamond and emerald necklace with matching teardrop earrings. They had to be worth more than my entire house back home. She put them on me and stood back, grinning.
“Perfect.”
I peeked in the mirror and fingered the jewelry.
“It’s beautiful,” I breathed out.
“It is,” she agreed, reaching for the second box. “However, a princess isn’t complete without her crown.”
I stared in wonder as she pulled out a delicate, silver crown with tiny emeralds and diamonds in it. Gently, she placed it on my head. I gazed at myself in the mirror in utter shock. This couldn’t be me. This couldn’t be my life. I wasn’t this girl standing in front of the mirror.
“You’re gorgeous,” she whispered. “Know that. Own it. It is yours.”
I nodded and turned to her. “I’m afraid.”
“There isn’t anything to fear, I promise. Now, come. Your father and brother are already at the ball.”
“It started already?” I asked, surprised. I hadn’t realized it was that late.
“Yes.” She smiled. “We have hundreds of guests waiting for us. We’re fashionably late as they say in the Earth Realm.”
“Marisole, ladies? You’ll be joining us, right?” I asked, turning back to the women who’d made me look like royalty. They nodded, and I smiled shakily.
Brena walked behind my mother and me when we left the room, making sure to give us enough space to talk amongst ourselves. We descended numerous stairs to the main floor where the ballroom was located. Brena gave me a reassuring smile before disappearing down the hall toward another of the ballroom’s entrances.
“Take a deep breath,” my mother instructed. “We’ll be announced, me first, followed by you. You simply walk into the room, smile, and go to your brother’s side. He’ll take care of everything else and help you the rest of the way.”
“That’s it?” I asked, taking in a deep breath.
“That’s it. We’re very proud of you, Analia. Tonight is a big night.”
“I know.” I chewed my lip nervously as my hands shook.
She squeezed me quickly and nodded to the men at the doors who returned her nod. A man’s deep voice boomed out, and the music stopped.
“Announcing her royal highness, Queen Emmeline Valentina of Dar’ish.”
My mother glided into the room before her subjects as they bowed to her. Once she made it to her throne, the announcer cleared his throat before speaking again. “Announcing her royal highness, Princess Analia Rose of Dar’ish.”
I breathed in deeply and took the first step as my mother had instructed me. Then another step. I kept my eyes focused on my family at the end of the aisle. My brother smiled encouragingly at me, and I walked toward him as people bowed before me. There was a general murmur of wonder throughout the room as I floated slowly in. Soran held out his hand when I reached him. Gratefully, I took it, not knowing how much longer I could do it on my own.
“A job well done, Sister,” he complimented softly as I stood in front of my throne. “You look beautiful. You clean up nicely.”
“As do you,” I whispered back, noting his blue and gold suit.
He reminded me of the prince from Cinderella, and I had to stifle a giggle. He smirked at me and turned his attention to the hundreds of people before us. My father motioned for the music to play again,